in Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (2005), 11(5), 535-544

Background: Divergences in cognitive disturbances in hypothyroidism reported in the literature are a result of a methodological bias. Methods: By using a precise methodology, we examined attention and ... [more ▼]

Background: Divergences in cognitive disturbances in hypothyroidism reported in the literature are a result of a methodological bias. Methods: By using a precise methodology, we examined attention and executive functions in hypothyroidism, verified the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in hypothyroidism, and examined the possible link between these symptoms and the cognitive disturbances (searching for attentional bias for words with a negative emotional valence). We administered a battery of cognitive tests to 23 participants who had undergone thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: for the first time in an euthyroid state, then 3 weeks later (still in the euthyroid state) to assess the test/retest effect, and finally 4 weeks later in an hypothyroid state. We compared their performance with that of a group of 26 control participants who were also administered the same cognitive tests, also 3 times. Results: In hypothyroidism, the thyroid participants were more anxious and depressed than the controls and presented attentional and executive disturbances that reflected general slowing and difficulties in using their capacities of inhibition. However, they did not exhibit an attentional bias for words with a negative emotional valence. Conclusions: Contrary to what was expected, symptoms of anxiety and not symptoms of depression interfered with the cognitive performance of participants in hypothyroidism. [less ▲]

Purpose: To our knowledge, no study has specifically assessed the time course of anxiety during radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study was to assess anxiety time courses in patients with ... [more ▼]

Purpose: To our knowledge, no study has specifically assessed the time course of anxiety during radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study was to assess anxiety time courses in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Material and methods: This multicenter, descriptive longitudinal study included 213 consecutive patients with breast cancer who completed visual analog scales (VASs) assessing state anxiety before and after the RT simulation and the first and last five RT sessions. Results: Pre- and post-session anxiety mean levels were highest at the RT simulation (respectively, 2.9 ± 2.9 and 1.6 ± 2.5) and first RT session (respectively, 3.4 ± 2.9 and 2.0 ± 2.4), then declined rapidly. Clinically relevant mean differences (P1 cm on the VAS) between pre- and post-simulation/session VAS scores were found only for the RT simulation ( 1.3 ± 2.7; p < 0.001) and first RT session ( 1.4 ± 2.4; p < 0.001). Five percent to 16% of patients presented clinically relevant anxiety (pre- and post-simulation/session VAS scoresP4 cm) throughout treatment. Conclusions: To optimize care, RT team members should offer all patients appropriate information about treatment at the simulation, check patients’ understanding, and identify patients with clinically relevant anxiety requiring appropriate support throughout RT. [less ▲]

Background and purpose Patients may experience clinically relevant anxiety at their first radiotherapy (RT) sessions. To date, studies have not investigated during/around the RT simulation the key ... [more ▼]

Background and purpose Patients may experience clinically relevant anxiety at their first radiotherapy (RT) sessions. To date, studies have not investigated during/around the RT simulation the key communication and communication-related predictors of this clinically relevant anxiety. Material and methods Breast cancer patients (n = 227) completed visual analog scale (VAS) assessments of anxiety before and after their first RT sessions. Clinically relevant anxiety was defined as having pre- and post-first RT session VAS scores ⩾4 cm. Communication during RT simulation was assessed with content analysis software (LaComm), and communication-related variables around the RT simulation were assessed with questionnaires. Results Clinically relevant anxiety at the first RT session was predicted by lower self-efficacy to communicate with the RT team (OR = 0.65; p = 0.020), the perception of lower support received from the RT team (OR = 0.70; p = 0.020), lower knowledge of RT-associated side effects (OR = 0.95; p = 0.057), and higher use of emotion-focused coping (OR = 1.09; p = 0.013). Conclusions This study provides RT team members with information about potential communication strategies, which may be used to reduce patient anxiety at the first RT session. [less ▲]

Epidemiologic studies suggested a possible link between prenatal exposure to organophosphate insecticides (OP) and long-term mental delay and some behavioral troubles. Experimental studies in rats and mice have confirmed that a relatively short exposure to low doses of OP such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) during specific perinatal periods decreased anxiety-like behaviors. In the present study, we report that chronic perinatal exposure (GD15-PND14) to low doses of CPF leads to an increase (and not a decrease) in anxiety-like behaviors of female mouse offspring. Pregnant or lactating female mice were exposed to CPF (0.2; 1; or 5 mg/kg day) by oral treatment during 18 consecutive days. Following a recovery period of several weeks, the anxiety of adult female offspring was determined using neurobehavioral tests (elevated plus-maze and light/dark box tests). Our results showed that CPF-exposed female offspring were more anxious than controls. In addition, the magnitude of anxiety profile alterations depended on the level of exposure to CPF during gestation and lactation with a maximal effect observed at the 1 mg/kg day dose. Our results confirm that OP exposure during the perinatal period can induce long-term alterations in mouse anxiety-like behaviors and suggest that the routes of administration and the duration of OP exposure during brain development may be factors to consider when studying the development of anxiety. [less ▲]

Introduction. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety-related sensations due to beliefs that these sensations will lead to physical illness, social embarrassment, loss of control and mental ... [more ▼]

Introduction. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety-related sensations due to beliefs that these sensations will lead to physical illness, social embarrassment, loss of control and mental incapacitation. AS plays a central role in the etiology and maintaining of fear and anxiety. This work examines the gender and age effect on the AS scores. Method. Two hundred children aged 9 to 13 years completed the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). Results. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the sex and the interaction Sex*Age explain significantly the CASI scores. The interaction indicated that girls have higher AS than boys at the age of 9, 10 and 11 but not to 12 and 13 years. Discussion. Consistent with several studies, girls have higher CASI scores than boys. However, this difference disappears at the entrance of adolescence. This developmental observation is important in a prevention perspective of AS. [less ▲]

Recently acquired data question the sharp dichotomy between anxiolytics and neuroleptics, since disinhibitory effects have been measured in the rat with very low doses of haloperidol and higher doses of ... [more ▼]

Recently acquired data question the sharp dichotomy between anxiolytics and neuroleptics, since disinhibitory effects have been measured in the rat with very low doses of haloperidol and higher doses of atypical neuroleptics in FI and DRL schedules, but also in the open-field test. That the DA transmission in certain brain regions is involved in some aspects of anxiety has recently been suggested. The present study confirms this hypothesis particularly with high doses of sulpiride (80 mg/kg) and clozapine (24 mg/kg) when tested in the open-field test. Moreover, the results show how a slight chemical modification of clozapine can give a direction to pharmacological activity with one derivative still resembling clozapine and the second one resembling haloperidol. As neuroleptics do not seem to influence the synthesis and utilization of GABA, the higher entry score observed with them would seem to depend above all on DA antagonism in the mesolimbic system. [less ▲]

Abstract Background and aims The relations between tree species, microbial diversity and activity can alter ecosystem functioning. We investigated ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) community structure and richness, microbial/environmental factors related to AOB diversity and the relationship between AOB diversity and the nitrification process under several tree species. Methods Forest floor (Of, Oh) was sampled under European beech, sessile oak, Norway spruce and Douglas-fir at three sites. AOB community structure was assessed by PCR-DGGE and sequencing. Samples were analyzed for net N mineralization, potential nitrification, basal respiration, microbial biomass, microbial or metabolic quotient, pH, total nitrogen, extractable ammonium, organic matter content and exchangeable cations. Results AOB community structure and tree species effect on AOB diversity were site-specific. AOB richness was not related to nitrification. Factors regulating ammonium availability, i.e. net N mineralization or microbial biomass, were related to AOB community structure. Conclusion Our research shows that, at larger spatial scales, site specific characteristics may be more important than the nature of tree species in determining AOB diversity (richness and community structure). Within sites, tree species influence AOB diversity. The absence of a relation between AOB richness and nitrification points to a possibly role of AOB abundance, phenotypic plasticity or the implication of ammonia oxidizing archaea. [less ▲]